Comparison

HanDBase Database Manager vs Collections Database

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

HanDBase Database Manager

This is a powerful relational database manager for mobile devices. It allows users to create and edit custom databases with various field types, relational linking, and advanced sorting and filtering options. It supports photos, camera, GPS, and barcode scanning, with an optional custom forms designer.

Highlights
  • Create and edit databases on mobile
  • 19 different field types
  • Relational database linking
  • Sorting, filtering, and custom views
  • Field-level encryption
  • Desktop Connect for import/export
  • Support for photos, camera, GPS, barcode scanning
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Powerful relational database manager for mobile devices. Track anything! Shopping Lists,DVD Collections,Passwords,Prayer Lists,To Dos,Workouts,Recipes,Checkbook,Weight Loss,Auto Mileage Inventory,Surveys,Directories,Time/Billing CRM,Deliveries,Estimates Patient Lists,Billing Codes,Charge Capture Create and Edit Databases right on your iPhone 19 different field types Relational- link between different database tables Sorting,Filtering, and Customized Views Field level Encryption Desktop Connect- connect via web browser and load/save databases, import/export Integration w/ HanDBase Gallery-download over 2000 templates Support for photos/camera/gps/barcode scanning Custom Forms Designer available via in-app Purchase "HanDBase for iPhone is a very powerful and customizable database. There's really no competition to HanDBase, and given their long history and track record in the handheld world, HanDBase will be adopted quickly in businesses where custom databases are needed. At [Price], this app is a bargain." TUAW.com review "If you’re sick of buying [...] iPhone/Touch applications that don’t live up to their hype – then you should look at HanDBase" GearDiary.com review We are a world leader in the mobile database space and have compatible solutions (sold separately) for desktops, synchronization to programs like Microsoft Access, SQL Server, Filemaker, and most ODBC enabled apps. See our web site for more details and options. Please Note: The HanDBase database format does not support Unicode, so while English and most European languages are supported, other languages are not.

About

Collections Database

Organize anything with a personal database app. It offers over 20 field types, customizable layouts, and pre-built templates for common uses like books or expenses. Advanced features and iCloud sync are available.

Highlights
  • 20+ field types (text, number, picture, barcode, etc.)
  • Customizable fields and display styles
  • Pre-built templates (books, contacts, expenses, etc.)
  • Organize with collections and subcollections
  • Password, Face ID, and Touch ID protection
  • iCloud synchronization across devices
  • Advanced fields and calculations (Pro version)
Features
Read full description

Collections is a personal database app to organize anything. 1. A field for every use Collections supports over 20+ field types: • Text, Number • Boolean • Picture • Select • Email, URL, Phone • Password • Date, Time • Color • Barcode And with the Pro version you can use even more advanced fields. • Document reference - Link documents together • Group - Add multiple values for a field • Formula - Create a formula for calculated values. Powerful formula editor with full support to math functions like SUM, AVG • Sources - Import documents from external APIs with Javascript 2. Customizable • Add and reorder fields • Add a separator between fields to better visualize them • Fields have different display styles like primary, secondary, thumbnail • Filter and sort data 3. Templates Collections includes basic templates to get started: • Books • Contacts • Expenses • Subscriptions • Credentials • Inventory • School 5. Advanced management Collections has different tools to help you creating the data model. SUBCOLLECTIONS Organize data into collections and subcollections. Simply said, they are like folders. LISTS A list contains items used in documents and it's very flexible. It could represent a Genre for a book or a Status like 'Available', 'Out of stock' for an object in the inventory. 6. Security • Protect collections using a password, Face ID or Touch ID • Sensitive data such as passwords are encrypted by default 7. iCloud Sync Data is synced automatically between devices through iCloud. 8. Apple's Shortcuts support Expand the app capabilities with Apple's Shortcuts support. 9. Pro version features • Add unlimited documents (free version is limited to 100 documents) • Add files to documents • Add advanced fields • Views • Grid • Use Summary to perform calculations across documents

Screenshots

HanDBase Database Manager4 screens
Collections Database4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Collections Database at Free against HanDBase Database Manager's $9.99. Collections Database also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.8) and review sentiment (87% vs 60%). HanDBase Database Manager's advantage is chart position (#64 vs unranked). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Collections Database is free to download; HanDBase Database Manager costs $9.99 up front. HanDBase Database Manager sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Collections Database sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Collections Database holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 99 and 187 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of HanDBase Database Manager's written reviews are positive against 87% of Collections Database's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HanDBase Database Manager ships an update every 3 months, Collections Database fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
HanDBase Database Manager versus Collections Database: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHanDBase Database ManagerCollections Database
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (99 ratings)4.6 (187 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews87.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings99187 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#64 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDDH Software, LLCMatteo D'Ignazio

Customer experience

HanDBase Database Manager

All ratings99 ratings
Positive68.7%
Neutral8.1%
Negative23.2%
Written reviews395 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral15.4%
Negative24.6%

Collections Database

All ratings187 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral3.2%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews317 reviews
Positive87.1%
Neutral5.4%
Negative7.6%

User reviews

HanDBase Database Manager

From 99 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Excellent database app
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 💡 Highly customizable
  • 👍 Powerful relational features
  • 👍 Flexible and versatile

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Buggy and unstable
  • 🐛 Issues with data loss
  • 🐛 Syncing problems
  • 🐛 Awkward user interface

Collections Database

From 187 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Flexible and customizable
  • 🚀 Powerful and feature-rich
  • 💡 Excellent integration with Apple ecosystem
  • 🔒 Secure and private data storage
  • 💰 Good value for money

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and sync issues
  • 📚 Lacking comprehensive documentation
  • 🔍 Limited search and filtering capabilities
  • 🔀 Difficulty moving/copying data between collections

Bugs and requests

HanDBase Database Manager

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes when using password-protected databases
  • Issues with field order and layout being lost
  • Problems with data entry and saving records
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS versions

Requested features

6 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved forms and UI customization
  • Better integration with iPhone features (contacts, calendar, etc.)
  • Enhanced reporting and export options
  • Ability to create databases as standalone apps
Show 1 more
  • Improved support for larger databases

Collections Database

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Keyboard issues when using search
  • Inconsistent behavior between iOS and macOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Collaborative features for sharing databases
  • More advanced reporting and visualization options
  • Improved import/export functionality
  • Ability to customize the appearance and layout

In-app purchases

1 purchases

HanDBase Database Manager

One-time1
  • HanDBase Forms Designer for iPhone$4.99
3 purchases

Collections Database

One-time3
  • Collections Ultra (Upgrade)$1.99
  • Collections Pro$7.99
  • Collections Ultra$9.99

Questions

Is HanDBase Database Manager free?
HanDBase Database Manager costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Collections Database free?
Collections Database is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HanDBase Database Manager or Collections Database?
Collections Database is rated higher. HanDBase Database Manager averages 3.8 out of 5 from 99 ratings, while Collections Database averages 4.6 from 187 ratings.
Do HanDBase Database Manager or Collections Database have ads?
Neither HanDBase Database Manager nor Collections Database shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HanDBase Database Manager or Collections Database?
HanDBase Database Manager ships an update every 3 months, and Collections Database fortnightly. Most recently, HanDBase Database Manager was updated on October 6, 2026 and Collections Database on October 7, 2026.

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